Northern Fall

Karla saw a brown-ish white fea ask her what was her name she hesitated a little "Im karla and you are?" she said looking at the fea waiting for her responce

"I'm Karla, and you are...?



The sandy female's tail wagged happily as this new one introduced herself. She was glad to have so many females around, because they were usually great centers for conversation. Melloette felt like there was always something to say. Maybe it was why others got so irritated with her so quickly. She shrugged inwardly. Their loss. However, she was curious at how the males would respond to being so blatantly outnumbered by the females. Philo was bound to be in hog heaven. And what about Philo? taunted her mental voice. It was getting really nosy these days!

What about him? He's the one that set up this whole pack endeavor, so I would assume that he's gonna be swamped with interrogating these wolves. She had straightened to stand taller without noticing it. If it was needed, she would help with getting these wolves settled in. Of course, it was possible that they would be rejected, but that idea sat in a dark, untouched corner that gathered dust in her mind. It was called the "Negative Corner," and she preferred to avoid it at all costs.

"My name is Melloette," she answered happily. She had found no reason to not trust this female, so she would trust her until reason was given. That was how she had always been (and it had always ended badly, but she never took the time to dwell on that).

[/quote]

Philo tilted his ears back, in mock disappointment as Ice moved away from him. "But I must share my Philo with all the females of the world."

"But, I assure you that it would be you wasted. I am not the romantic sort, or even the type to become genuinely interested in males,"

He nudged Melloette softly. "And I'm sure you don't mean that, Melly. Every female is in some way a romantic. Every wolf just wants to be loved. But if need be I will take friend, if only to hang around with a nice female like you."

Glancing over at what the female was then yelling at, his stubby tail wagged happily. It was yet another female. "Do female's grow on trees around here?" he chuckled. "I'm Philo, Karla. Nice to meet you."

Years of practice made Ayla's footfalls virtually silent as she stepped easily across the earthen terrain. Her ash-tipped ears stood tall atop her head as they twitched at the sound of a twig snapping up ahead. She paused, a fore-paw raised in readiness to continue while her black nose quivered delicately in the dim sunlight. Melloette. Duxav. Philo. Three strangers - one closer. Fresh blood of a hare. She sorted through these scents quickly as one corner of her lip lifted a little in annoyance. Great, more wolves. Don't forget to smile!

The white female rolled her eyes as she stalked forwards towards the area of the falls and before long her firey gaze caught movement beyond the bushes up ahead. It was one of the strangers and as she ventured closer she saw that the wolf was spying on her aquiantances. It seemed it was a good thing for Ayla to follow so that she could catch this female out who thought it appropriate to skulk around the edges of the clearing like someone who was guilty. Or someone who would be guilty of something soon. A threat perhaps? One could never be too sure.

The arctic wolf stepped lightly through the bushes and sat down, lifting her paw and inspecting the specs of brown dust that clung to the alabaster fur atop her toes. "Y'know, it's rude to stare like that." she commented non-chalantly, her gaze flickering to the wolf only briefly before she continued on in the same light tone, though there was an underlying threat set out clearly as a warning. "In fact, I've known wolves who have been killed for less."

She showed no outward signs of aggression, but there was something in the air around her that hinted she was not a wolf to be taken lightly, and her words were more than true. Rolling her neck briefly to either side with a small, satisfying crack, her smouldering gaze moved lazily to the wolf in front of her. "What do you want with them?" Just because she didn't want anything to do with Duxav, Philo or Melody, didn't mean she felt the need for them to face an unnecessary threat. Well, unless, of course, it was Ayla herself.

Her eyes didn't stop observing every inch of the female as she awaited an answer, picking out every flaw and fault in her being.

"Ice..... Duxav and Philo"

Duxav looked at the female. How did she know their names? She must of overheard them, his ears twitched and lowered, not too sure of what to make of the female. He tilted his head as she announced that she would like to be a Shaman. Dux's head twitched again. She possessed the abilities to sense the near future? She was a bit strange and Philo had tried to flirt with the female already. He hardly even knew the wolf and was already hitting on her? Duxav was confused by the male and his love affairs. He watched as the female moved up towards him and sat. Dux naturally sat back up, giving a huff at the female.

"What is going on here, Duxav?"

Duxav immediately turned to Melloette, he responded simply with body language of 'I have no idea' he gave a shrug and sat back, his ears laid back, he was confused at all the nonsense. He looked at Philo as the male continued to flirt with the females around him.

"Duxav, may I stay?"

Duxav looked to Ice. A shaman would come in handy around here. "Uh. Sure Ice, you can be a shaman for the Pack." he looked around at the wolves around him. A sly grin covered his maw. "I'm sure you'd like to meet the four leaders, the Generals. Myself, Philo, Melloette, and Ayla" he grinned as he looked at the other three he had named Generals. He looked at Karla and Ice, they would be the first two members of the pack. Duxav was happy to have everything on a roll.

Karla watched as other wolves came around her and another female wolf she yawned a little lost on what was happening

Philo's jaw dropped as his ears rammed forward wondering if he'd heard right. Duxav had named him a leader? Was he crazy? No wolf had dared give the chocolate male any kind of responsibility. Every other wolf he'd met had judged him on his frivolous ways.

The male sat there in shock, at least with his mouth closed now, while Melloette accused Duxav of making a mistake. Boy has he made a mistake. He might be leader material but I really don't think Ayla, Melly and I are good to have leading with him. Shaking his head, bringing him back to the real world, Philo saw that Melloette had gone off to be by herself.

"Duxav, are you sure you made the right decision? Are you sure there isn't another rank I could have? I mean... I'm... not sure I'm what you'd want to have leading with you." For the first time since he'd been there, the male was showing some uncertainty. Being a leader meant responsibility and he rather liked his carefree ways. Philo wasn't sure he was ready for this.

The white female observed the other's reaction carefully; critically. She seemed quiet and submissive as she backed away a little, closing her eyes for lengthened periods and looking as if her mind was elsewhere. An internal struggle perhaps? Or even an injury causing her pain? There were no physical signs of harm though, so perhaps just a knock to the head. As she observed her, Ayla couldn't help but overhear Duxav's words.

"I'm sure you'd like to meet the four leaders, the Generals. Myself, Philo, Melloette, and Ayla"

She shifted her jaw a little. What makes him think I would return to them, let alone as a General? How stupid. You will. Quiet you. She was not in the mood for his antics as she continued to watch the wolf in front of her, the tremor in her legs catching her eye. They straightened immediately under her golden gaze and she looked up just in time to see the wild expression overcome her face before she bolted.

"Mind your own business!"

An instinctive growl rumbled up from Ayla's chest as she immediately swung around to follow. Her slightly sharpened claws dug into the earth for grip as she propelled herself forward on powerful legs, the thrill of the chase overwhelming her. Oh how many times had she done this now? Her ears and nose worked in routine unison to stay right on her tail when she slipped through the trees. She both loved and hated it. She had always enjoyed it when her target had put up a fight or run, it was so much more fun, but she didn't like thinking of it now. Too quickly her mind raced to the usual end-point where she would wind up with her teeth held firmly in the wolf's windpipe, something she did not want to end up doing now.

As she fought off the feelings, her body had a mind of its own as it instinctively made the final push to end the chase, surging her lithe form through the air to come in hard contact with the other fae. Being distracted, it took her a moment to regain her balance, but it seemed so many years of such practice had left her standing virtually atop the run-away wolf. The fur began to settle on her back as she fought for composure, smouldering gaze sitting firmly on the earthy-toned wolf.

"When a wolf such as yourself is encroaching on the territory of a pack I am responsible for, I do believe that makes you my business." Again, it wasn't a direct threat, but this time Ayla showed more outward aggression as the flickerings of a snarl played out across the corners of her mouth. If the female continued to run it could bring out more of the traits to kill that had been embedded in Ayla's being, and she wasn't in the mood to have more blood on her paws without an answer "So I'll repeat myself, shall I? Who are you and what do you want with the wolves you were spying on?"

Ice looked at the leaders, flicking her ears. "Thank you, Duxav." she said softly, her voice even and calm. She turned to Philo, "Shaman will be interesting, won't it?" she replied. Ice rose and walked to the outer rings of the clearing, sitting away from the group and watching.

Wondering where the densite was, so she could have a proper rest, she tilted her head and beckoned to Philo, twitching her ear to call him over. Ice then sat with her tail curled around her and waited for the flirty male to come and answer her.

Ayla's white tail flicked around her heels as she waited for the answer from the brown female beneath her, ears twitching equally as often. The beginnings of a growl began to rumble at the base of her throat as the wolf attempted an escape and she had to will herself not to bite, something that became easier with the realisation that she could not evade her firm hold.

"I was only curious of what a pack was like."

The snowy she-wolf raised a brow, contemplating the answer. She herself had wondered many a time what this 'pack business' was all about and why so many wolves found it appealing. To her, it was only another thing to imprison you. Still, this wolf could have ulterior motives, Ayla herself had lied her way into many such situations before to gain access to a wolves who were part of a pack. Just let her stay, she seems harmless. Ha. Who knows what she could be hiding, could be scheming. Give her a chance. You know how important just a chance can be. Ayla huffed. Despite what she liked to believe, The Voice was always right.

"Well then I guess that makes two of us." Ayla gave in response as she stepped off of the female, stretching out her forelegs but keeping her well within her sights. Giving the wolf another once over, the white fae had no hesitation holding eye contact as she continued. "Alright then listen up. You either run now and get as far away from us as possible, or you tell me your name and I introduce you to Duxxy over there, and regardless of what happens I'll rip your ears off if you so much as put a half a paw wrong. I'll probably be gone within a few sun cycles anyway but that doesn't mean I'm just going to let you waltz in here and cause trouble. So which'll it be?"



[/lame :c]

Ice looked at Philo, then to Dux, "if I may, that would be lovely." She let her gaze flicker to the brown male once again.Her lip curled into a soft smile and she dropped her eyes to her stomach. Is there something wrong with me? Am I ill? she asked herself, wondering why her gut was tight. Ice ignored it and looked back at Duxav.

"When do we leave for the tour?" she asked, tilting hr head to the side and dropping on ear.

The white she-wolf shifted to one side, lifting a hind leg to scratch absent-mindedly behind her ear. It was a gesture of how unthreatened she was by this wolf, the shadow of smirk playing at the corners of her mouth. She did this as she patiently waited for the other's response.

"My name is Cheshire."

"Good choice." With the words the smirk finally crept its way onto her muzzle, her claws stretching out before quickly retracting and raking shallow scores into the earth. She got to her paws and shook out her pelt - an old habit from living in snow - and gave the earthier coated female another once over before turning. "C'mon then," she barked, flicking her tail in a gesture to follow, "You can come meet Philly*"

It wasn't a very long walk back to the clearing and Ayla didn't bother to check over her shoulder to see if the wolf was following; she could track her down if need be. She hopped lightly into the clearing, padding over to where the chocolate covered male stood sending him a fiery glare that warned him not to try any of his moves on her.

"Phillis, this is Chester. Seeing as you are an alpha, she's your problem now."

[[/lame :c]]

*I changed it to taking her to Philo, not Duxxy, just because he's going away

Philo gulped as he felt the weight of responsibility fall over his shoulders. He shifted uncomfortably under the feeling. The male's ears flicked around not sure what to think. Duxav was not taking back the rank. Thoughts swirled around his head making him dizzy. What have I got myself into? Maybe I could just sneak away while no-one's looking. Duxav surely has a screw loose. I'd be better off getting out of here early.

The male nearly jumped out of his skin as Ayla approached him. He didn't really notice the flashing glare she'd given him. Philo didn't really feel like flirting right then. He was still feeling out of sorts. "Um, well..." the male wasn't sure what to do. "Hi."

The sound of voices reached the resting female's ears, which perked and swiveled to determine where they came from. Melloette immediately tagged one as Ayla, but the other was unknown. Rising to her paws, the female stepped from the hollowed out tree and shook out her fur. Sluggishly, she went to see Ayla dealing with a crazed looking female.

Hanging back, Melloette hoped that she was not yet noticed. She had just heard the strange female state her name before Ayla dropped Cheshire on Philo. She hung back, her ears and tail drooped. What was there for her to do now?

Philo looked increasingly uncomfortable. A light bulb flicked on in her head, and in seconds, Melloette was skidding in the dirt passed Philo, Cheshire, and Ayla. She nearly collided with Duxav, who was making some announcement about the territory. A tour?

Dipping her head to the male, the scrawny female darted back to Philo and the other two - more careful this time - and smiled largely. It did not matter that it was fake - the others were not bound to notice. "What's going on here?" she asked breathlessly.

lame TT_TT

Philo glanced at Melloette as she raced by. He wondered what the female what up to. She soon returned to them asking what was going on. Philo smiled at her before turning back to the female who corrected Ayla. Cheshire, as the female called herself, was glaring at Ayla. "Ah now, Cheshire, there's no need for that," he smiled warmly. The male was feeling more like his old self.

Moving past Melloette he gave her a longing smile as he went by, almost brushing against her. Coming to sit by the cream and black female, he gave her a nudge with to the shoulder. "So you want to stay? I see nothing wrong with that. You might not want to push Ayla's buttons though. I don't want her getting into trouble before she warms up to me yet." Philo short a cheeky grin at the white female.

"Um, well... Hi."

"What's going on here?"

Ayla almost rolled her eyes. Neither of these two seemed very capable of keeping up with present events, but she supposed she could forgive them their more minor faults if they pulled their act together soon.

"Cheshire."

The white she-wolf turned her golden gaze to the female with a raised brow, confused as to why she felt it necessary to state her name.

"I guess I shouldn't have even bothered with such a pathetic wolf such as youself. It seems like an absent-minded fool such as yourself wouldn't possibly be capable of remembering a problem's name."

Well now, you've certainly ticked her off. The smallest of smirks hinted at the corner of her mouth as she reassessed the female who had now taken a few steps back with an almost apologetic look on her face. Well, she has spirit, that at least will spare her her life. An over-reactio"n that will not go unnoticed though for she has failed to recognise my automatic assigning of nick-names to all I encounter. she thought as much to herself as to the voice. Well, that's still a better fate than one of the last wolfs to insult you. Maybe you could just explain and make friends? Friends are for those too incompetant to look after themselves.

Instead, keeping her voice steady but allowing her smouldering gaze to settle directly on her eyes. "I would only be a fool if I thought such a petulant wolf as yourself was worth the effort of remembering such a name, and from your so easily conjured anger you are quite obviously not." There was no growl or anger in her voice, but rather a condascending tone fit for a pup - not that Ayla liked pups.

"So you want to stay? I see nothing wrong with that. You might not want to push Ayla's buttons though. I don't want her getting into trouble before she warms up to me yet."

Ayla shot him a glare full of more venom than she had directed at the female. "Save your words for someone ignorant enough to believe them, Philo." The snowy wolf brushed him off with an indicative glance towards Cheshire, already bored with the lot of them. She had not been bought up for such social interaction and found such efforts worth more effort than they were worth.

And so with a nod to Melloette - the only wolf to earn even half a spec of her respect - Ayla turned and padded over to the shade, plopping herself down and beginning to clean her paws, something which had become very much habit, and only she knew why, though she hardly cared to admit it to herself.

Ice smiled and let a quiet, satisfied laugh out. She looked over at the smaller white wolf, seems we have the same opinion, Ayla, she thought, still smiling. She looked at Philo, a flicker in her gut. Ice tensed, she disliked this wolf, right? No, you idiot. You like him! A voice spoke up in her mind.

"Ha, no I don't." she mumbled, fighting against her conscience. Ice looked down, and scanned the grass for a moment before looking up again and watching the other wolves.

Philo's ears perked toward Ayla. He merely gave her a smile in response to her words. The male decided he would keep working on that one. She was actually quiet amusing when she was being grouchy. Looking over at the new white Shaman, Philo smiled, wagging his short tail. Another one that would prove entertaining.

At Melloette's strange outburst, Philo looked with concern in her direction. She was already running away. "Melly! Melly wait! Where are you going?!" the chocolate male called after her. His paws chased after her. There was the feeling in the air that she could do something stupid. "Melloette wait!"

~Cliff of Fate ~ after that female!